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OhioMedication for Alcohol Use Disorder in Ohio
Updated
Medication used in the treatment of alcohol use disorder is a very important part of care.
In addition to medications, behavioral treatments and mutual-support groups such as AA can be very helpful.
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Medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD) are not drugs of abuse. In fact, they are used to help people with AUD. These medications can decrease drinking and related problems.
Medications are a critical part of the overall treatment plan for alcohol dependence.
Medications are only part of the answer for AUD. Medicines do not solve all the problems in a person’s life.
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It is available in tablet form (oral) and in an extended-release injection that can be given by a health care provider.
Injectable naltrexone differs from the daily tablet in that it is taken once a month (every 4 weeks).
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Acamprosate is started after drinking has stopped, and it helps maintain abstinence from alcohol.
Acamprosate blocks some of the negative symptoms caused by abstinence from alcohol, thus making it easier to maintain abstinence. help people avoid relapsing back to drinking.
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Disulfiram is meant for people who have already stopped drinking but are still at risk of going back to alcohol use. The drug works by causing unpleasant effects. These effects can be life threatening.
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These medicines do not provide instant treatment for alcohol use disorder, nor do they eliminate the risk of ever drinking again.
Medications are prescribed by licensed health care providers to treat people who have alcohol use disorders. These medications may also be used in combination with other treatments.
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A primary care provider can write a prescription. You do not need to be admitted to an inpatient or residential facility to receive medication treatment.
The person's prescriber will decide which medication to recommend after discussing the pros and cons of each with the patient. If an individual has health insurance that covers medications for AUD, they might be able to see their primary care physician or other provider who is in-network.
Medication can be used on its own or in combination with other approaches to treatment, including counseling and recovery support. For example, some people choose to take one of these medications while going through counseling to help them stay sober.
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The MHPAEA is a federal law that prohibits group health insurance plans from imposing more restrictive benefit limitations on mental health or substance use disorder (MH/SUD) benefits than they impose on medical/surgical benefits.
Under MHPAEA and Ohio's mental health law, a health plan is prohibited from imposing more restrictive requirements on substance use disorder benefits than it does on medical/surgical benefits. For example, a health plan may not limit substance use disorder benefits to inpatient services only while providing outpatient care for other conditions or impose prior authorization requirements only for substance use disorder treatment.
For medication-assisted treatments (MAT), MHPAEA requires that there be no more restrictive limitations on the use of the MAT than is typically applied to medical benefits. For example, if a health insurance company places a limit on the number of visits for psychotherapy but has not limited coverage for physical therapy, there should be no more restrictive limit placed on psychotherapy or behavioral health services for mental health and substance use disorders.
At the Ohio Department of Insurance, the Mental Health Insurance Assistance Office (MHIA) serves as a resource for consumers to understand their rights when accessing behavioral health care benefits.
Medication costs may also depend on where a person gets treatment (hospital-based vs. community based), whether a provider accepts Medicaid, and if coverage through an employer's plan is applicable. If the individual has private insurance, the cost of a prescription may vary depending on the terms of coverage from the specific insurer.